At a glance

Your chance to

At a glance

3 nights Ilkeliani Tented Camp

Fly into and out of the Masai Mara

Game drives in specially designed vehicles

The ultimate African safari long weekend

A trip designed for people who want to do something different one weekend. Flying directly into the Masai Mara, one of the world's best wildlife reserves, we stay three nights in the luxury tented camp, Ilkeliani. From here we spend our time out on game drives looking for the prolific wildlife that populate the reserve including lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeests and so much more.

Itinerary

We spend two full days with morning and afternoon game drives and optional game walks. As the best time to view game is early morning or late afternoon we will return to camp during the hottest part of the day where we can relax in the common areas and even look out for game right from the porch of our tents.
We never know what we will see when out game viewing but many emblematic African animals are commonly seen here including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, hippos, rhinos and numerous others. It is also possible to see some of the more elusive ones such as leopards and Wild dogs.
During the Great Migration season, from August to October, we spend some time watching one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on Earth as millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles attempt to cross the river from the Serengetti whilst crocodiles, lions and other predators lie in wait.
Those interested can also take an optional hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of the African plains and its fascinating wildlife.

Your images

Adult Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All meals included whilst in the Masai Mara

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Compulsory Single accommodation - GBP130

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Luxury Tented Camp

For this long weekend you will stay at the luxury Ilkeliani Permanent Tented Camp. The tented rooms are raised up slightly on earth mounds, overlooking the river and the plains. These mounds are covered in vegetation and you do feel like you are out in the wilderness.

Single supplement available (from GBP130)

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
Most nationalities do now require a visa for Kenya, including Britons, most EC nationals, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians. The cost for British Nationals is USD50 and the visa can be obtained on arrival. Please ensure that you have at least one blank page free of immigration stamps in your passport to enter Kenya.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Holiday style

This is a trip for people who want to do something special for a long weekend. With direct flights to Nairobi from London and various other European cities and only a minimal time difference, going to Kenya just for a few days is easier than you might think. London flights (if booking incl. flights) leave on Wednesday evening and return very early on Monday morning. Once in Kenya we save time by flying straight into the reserve allowing us to focus purely on the safari itself.
Accommodation is very comfortable in a luxury permanent tented camp. All tents are en suite and all meals in the Masai Mara are included. Game viewing is done by specially designed 4WD safari vehicles.
You are looked after by the luxury tented camp's staff and guides whilst in the Masai Mara.
This trip runs throughout the year and can be organised on a private basis as well as group basis. Families can book on this trip with children as young as 5 though you should note that if you wish to do so there needs to be at least one adult per 2 young children as there are triple tents but not family tents available.

Eating & drinking

All meals are included whilst in the Masai Mara.
Hot drinks with freshly baked biscuits are provided before your early morning game drive. A packed breakfast consisting of fruit, cakes, juice and coffee/tea is taken out on the plains or a cooked breakfast can be taken at camp.
Lunch can be eaten at camp or is sometimes packed if there is reason (to see the migration, for example) to be out the whole day. Tea and cakes are taken mid-afternoon before the game drive. A 3-course dinner is taken each evening in the open dining area.
Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including
detailed itinerary and full kit list

Weather & seasonality

Kenya straddles the equator so showers can occur at any time of year, however the wettest period is April and May (we have no departures then) Due to the altitude the Masai Mara (1550m) the night time temperature is beautiful, cool yet not cold. Daytime temperatures can get as high as 30 but with low humidity. There can be light rains at the end of the year, but if anything this is a good thing as it cuts down the dust and brings out the colours. The main rainy season is April and May, though rains normally come in short storms rather than continuous day-long sessions. During this period the roads can become difficult and a little patience and pushing may be required! Please be aware that over recent years weather patterns have changed and are now somewhat unpredictable.

Gallery

Reviews & community

After so many other safari's this was by far the best. Accommodation at Talek Gate was perfect and Charles the camp manager extremely hospitable. We saw everything thanks to Amos our tour guide and had a fantastic time. Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Giraffe and Rhino and every animal had young. Breathtaking scenary and connection to life!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Apart from the sunrise and sunset I think there was 3 moments: seeing a mother leopard and cub dismount a tree and watch us, having lion cubs stalk us and a giraffe and a cheetah and cub using our jeep for shade and as a toy

What did you think of your group leader?

Not really relevant for this tour

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

We had an amazing guide called Amos - with 8 years training he had huge knowledge re every animal and bird, an uncanny ability to know where the animals were and a passion that rivalled our which meant we spent almost he entire day and into the evening out with the animals.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Wildebeest Migration means food is plentiful and combined with the birthing season made for a wonderful experience.

Amazing trip with 6 full game drives packed into the time. Saw all of the big 5 and many others.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The leopards.... or maybe the cheetah and cubs ..... or the lion cubs... too difficult to choose.

What did you think of your group leader?

No offocial leader but the camp staff (manager Charles and team) were very helpful and enthusiastic about the Mara and ensuring a good time was had. Our driver Amos was fantastic. It was great having the same driver for the whole trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just get on and book! Be prepared for the wildebeest to turn round and walk away from the river.....

Over 20 years in travel industry, Paul has gained a reputation as a passionate and forthright commentator on all things related to travel. His real expertise however lies in wildlife photography, Africa and the Polar regions. As a presenter, guide and photographer, Paul has few equals. If you can catch him while he is standing still, you can expect advice that is strong on opinion, but backed by real experience.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What kind of clothing is best?

Lightweight clothing for the day time, as the sun can be quite strong. Bring warmer layers for the cooler evenings and early mornings, when temperatures can drop surprisingly due to the altitude a lot of Kenya sits at.

Tom Bowring - Customer Operations

What vaccinations do I need?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. There will be limited information in the trip notes but you should always seek further qualified medical advice.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

What's the best way to take money to Kenya?

Just taking Sterling cash will be fine, and there is no need to change in US dollars. The local currency is the Kenyan Schilling, and you will be changing your money into this and spending with schillings only. Some services will accept dollars as payment, but it is not legal tender. It is best to change money at the airport in Nairobi and ATM machines are availabile there as well. Credit Cards are accepted at most points on the trips if you get stuck as well!

Tom Bowring - Africa Operations

Is it easy to get a Kenyan visa on arrival?

Yes, for British passport holders it is quite straightforward. The cost is $50. Other nationalities should check with the nearest embassy.

Tom Bowring - Customer Operations

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All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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